1.2 Describe local systems, procedures and agencies relating to adult safeguarding and own role within these

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Describe local systems, procedures and agencies relating to adult safeguarding and own role within these.

Every area in England sets up local arrangements to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. These systems and procedures support both the law and national guidance. They help staff respond correctly to safeguarding worries. As a manager, you have key responsibilities to make sure your service works closely with these systems, agencies, and follows agreed procedures.

Local arrangements vary by area, but all follow the same legal and statutory framework. They are designed to make it easier to raise concerns, share information, respond promptly, and learn from incidents.

Local Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB)

Each local authority area has its own Safeguarding Adults Board. The SAB brings together key agencies:

• Local authority adult social care
• NHS bodies (such as Integrated Care Boards, GPs, NHS trusts)
• Police
• Fire service
• Providers of care homes and domiciliary care
• Advocacy services
• Housing providers
• Voluntary sector groups

The SAB has a duty to plan and oversee the way adults are protected in the area. It agrees local policies, reviews serious abuse cases, and checks the quality of safeguarding work.

Local Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

Each SAB publishes local safeguarding policies and procedures. These are practical step-by-step guides for every organisation working with adults at risk. They explain what to look for, how to report abuse, how inquiries happen, and how to record actions.

Local procedures usually cover:

• What abuse and neglect look like
• Early warning signs
• How to make a safeguarding referral (usually called a ‘concern’ or ‘alert’)
• Contact details for the local safeguarding team (sometimes called the MASH or Safeguarding Hub)
• How to record and report concerns safely
• Thresholds for concerns that must be referred (for example: serious injury, repeated neglect, sexual or financial abuse)
• What happens after a referral (Section 42 enquiry, risk meeting, safeguarding planning)
• Timescales for response
• How to involve the person and their family
• Multi-agency working and meetings
• Confidentiality rules and data sharing

Most areas publish these procedures online and keep them up to date.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or Safeguarding Hub

Many local areas use a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub as a central place where professionals can quickly share safeguarding worries. Here, staff from local authority, NHS, police and other agencies work together.

The MASH checks referrals, gathers information from different agencies, and decides the level of risk. It makes decisions about which agency will lead any investigation or protective action.

If your service has a concern, you will often contact the local MASH or safeguarding team to make a referral or get advice.

Other Local Agencies

You may need to work with the following:

• Police: They investigate criminal offences related to abuse.
• NHS (G.P.s, community nurses, mental health teams): Health staff identify and treat physical or mental effects of abuse, and may spot signs of neglect or self-neglect.
• Advocacy organisations: These help people who cannot speak up for themselves or need support understanding and joining in the safeguarding process. An Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) or Independent Advocate may be involved.
• Housing providers: Sometimes risks come up in supported housing, hostels, or shared lives schemes.
• Fire and rescue service: They respond to fire and safety risks, which link to self-neglect or hoarding.
• Voluntary organisations: Local community groups may support people who are lonely, isolated, or need access to advice.

Information Sharing Arrangements

Local systems include clear agreements about sharing information between agencies. All staff must respect data protection rules, but must also know when information can and should be shared to protect someone from harm. Decisions about sharing should always be recorded, along with the reasons.

Reporting Procedures and Responsibilities

For Staff

All workers in adult care must know:

• Early signs of abuse, neglect or risk
• How to record and report any concern, even if uncertain
• What the whistleblowing procedure is, if they feel their concern is not being taken seriously

For Managers and Leaders

If you are a manager, you take a lead role in:

• Contacting the local safeguarding team or MASH if you become aware of abuse or serious risk
• Making sure your staff know who to speak to, and how to contact the relevant local teams
• Supporting staff who are anxious about raising concerns
• Regularly checking local procedures and updating staff on changes
• Being involved in safeguarding enquiries when asked by the local authority or police
• Working with local professionals (social workers, police, NHS, advocates) in multi-agency meetings to agree actions and safety plans
• Contributing to reports, risk assessments and safety planning
• Ensuring you record every safeguarding action, and keep records accurate and secure

Your Own Role in Local Safeguarding Systems

In a management or leadership position, your responsibilities include:

Awareness and Training

• Make sure all staff know and understand local safeguarding policies.
• Arrange regular training and updates, tailored to local procedures.
• Lead by example in safe practice and open reporting.

Reporting and Responding

• Check that staff promptly report safeguarding concerns to you and/or the nominated safeguarding lead.
• Escalate concerns to the local safeguarding team or MASH as required.
• Seek advice from the relevant teams if unsure about thresholds or next steps.
• Attend local risk or safeguarding meetings if your service is involved.

Policy and Practice

• Review and adapt internal policies in line with changes to local or national guidance.
• Communicate updates to your team.
• Encourage a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s business.

Support and Advocacy

• Support people who use your service to raise their own concerns.
• Make sure easy-read, accessible information about safeguarding is available.
• Involve advocates where people cannot represent themselves.

Record Keeping and Information Sharing

• Ensure safeguarding records are clear, accurate, and stored safely.
• Update files quickly after any action or meeting.
• Share information appropriately when requested, following the law and local agreements.

Working with Partner Agencies

• Build good relationships with local authority staff, NHS, police, and advocacy services.
• Attend multi-agency training and meetings.
• Share learning from incidents to improve safety practices.

Safer Recruitment and Supervision

• Use safe recruitment checks and DBS vetting.
• Provide support and regular supervision for staff to discuss any safeguarding worries.
• Address unsafe or abusive practice immediately using local disciplinary or safeguarding procedures.

Practical Example

Suppose you manage a care home and a staff member tells you a resident may be at risk. Your steps could include:

• Listening to the concern and checking the facts
• Recording details honestly and clearly
• Contacting your local safeguarding team or MASH (by phone or via an online portal)
• Following local policy, such as isolating an alleged abuser if needed
• Joining meetings set up by the safeguarding team
• Keeping all parties (including families) informed, with the person’s consent
• Supporting the resident and staff through the process
• Making sure learning from the incident feeds back into staff training or policy review

Final Thoughts

Local safeguarding systems include the Safeguarding Adults Board, MASH or safeguarding hub, and procedures that make clear how to spot, report, and act on adult safeguarding concerns. Managers play a central role by making sure staff are trained, concerns are reported and dealt with properly, information is shared safely, and everyone works together to keep people safe. Each area will have its own details, but your responsibility is to understand local arrangements, build strong links with partner agencies, and lead safe, person-centred care.